Injection ampoule



Oct. Z9, 1963 V. HASSING ETAL INJECTION AMPOULE Filed May 51, 1962lill/1114701111..

United States Patent O Filed' May 3l, 1962, Ser. No. 199,131 Claimspriority, application Denmark ct. 17, 1953 3 Claims. (Cl. 12S-213) Thisinvention relates to an injection ampoule.

Particularly during recent years there have been developed variousembod-iments of so-called injection arnpoules which are destined forone-time use. The principle of such injection ampoules is that theampoule itself is designed to act as a syringe after the sealing memberon the neck of the ampoule has been penetrated by a hypodermic needle orcannula. Opposite said sealing member the ampoule is closed by aslidable plug serving as a piston which, when advanced, will cause theampoule to be emptied through the hypodermic needle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an injection ampoulewhich can easily and simply be made ready for use without any risk oferrors rendering its application diliicult or impossible.

A further object of the invention is lto provide an injection ampoulehaving a construction which makes it possible to use the commonlyemployed types of needles or cannulae, e.g. the so-called record needlesand luerlock needles or cannulae, consisting of a socket wherein theneedle is mounted. Record needles have the same construction asluer-lock hypodermic needles, except that there is a slight diierence inthe interna'l lcon-icity of the socket or hub of the needles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an injectionampoule construction in which the mere mounting of the hypodermic needleor cannula on the injection ampoule makes the latter ready forinjection.

A still funther object of the invention is to provide an injectionampoule construction in which the sealing member on the neck of theampoule is penetrated with certainty by the mere mounting of thehypodermic needle on the ampoule.

The invention will be explained in detail below with particularreference to the accompanying drawings which show preferred embodimentsof the injection ampoule. It is to be understood, however, that theinvention is not restricted to the embodiments shown in the drawingssince many modiications may be made without departing from the spirit ofthe invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment of theinjection ampoule of this invention,

FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal sectional View of the front pant ofthe injection ampoule shown in FlG. l with the hypodermic needle mountedthereon,

FIG. 3 shows, partly in section, the piston of the ampoule with amodified mounting of the piston rod in the piston,

FIG. 4 shows on larger scale a partial longitudinal sectional View ofthe front part of a preferred embodiment of the injection ampoule, and

FIG. 5 shows a partial longitudinal sectional view of the front part ofthe embodiment shown in FIG. 4 with the hypodermic needle mountedthereon.

Referring rst to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 designates thecylindrical body of an ampoule or vial made of glass or plastic andcontaining the therapeutic lluid to be injected. At its upper end thebody 1 is provided with an inwardly-extending conical wall 2v and a neck3l having a central opening 4. At the top of the neck 3 there isprovided a flange 5. On this flange "ice rests a sealing member I6 inthe form of a rubber disc. On the sealing member 6 there is arranged aplastic extension member 6 having an outwardly-projecting part 7 whichhas a conical outer surface adapted to receive the socket 8 of ahypodermic needle 9. At its inner end the extension member is providedwith an outwardlyextending ilange .10 resting on the sealing member 6.The extension member and the sealing member 6 are kept in place by meansof a metallic ring 11 having an inwardly-extending auge 12, acylindrical Vertical part 113, and an inwardly-extending portion orflange 14l resting against the lower side of the flange 5 of the neck 3.By means of the flanges 12 and 14, respectively, the extension memberand the sealing member 6` are pressed tightly against the upper outersurface of the neck 3 to provide sealing of the ampoule.

The outwardly-projecting part '7 of the extension member is providedwith a through-going channel 15 wherein there is arranged a tube l16provided w-ith a cutting front edge 17. The tube 1-5, which is made ofmetal, such as steel, extends beyond the outwardly-projecting part 7 ofthe extension member and is covered by a cap 1S having a flange 19bearing against the ange 12 of the metallic ring 11.

At the end opposite the neck 3i, the cylindrical body 1 is closed by aslidable plug serving as a piston Ztl fitting closely the inner wall ofthe body 1 to form a sealing member during storage of the injectionampoule. At its rear-end the piston Ztl has a central hole 21 whereinthere is mounted a threaded metal pin 22 having a head 23 insuring theattachment of the pin 22 in the piston 2i?.

On its lower end, the body 1 is provided with a handling member 24having a cylindrical portion 25 surrounding the lower end of the body 1,and an outwardly-extending liange Z5 for holding the injection ampouleduring the injection operation. The handling member 2,4 also has aninwardly-extending projection 27 engaging the end of the body 1 andpreventing the piston 2li' from being drawn out of the body 1. Thehandling member 24 is kept in place on the end of the body 1 by means ofa -small projection 28 on the outer end of the body 1, said projectionengaging a groove 29' in the handling member 24.

A piston rod 3i) having a handling bar 31 at its lower end. is providedwith a threaded hole 32 at its front end to engage the threaded pin 22on the piston 2%.

A modilied manner of attachment of the piston ZllA to the piston rod 3dis shown in FIG. 3, where the piston 2l) is provided with a threadedhole 33 adapted to receive a threaded projection 34 on the piston rod30. This embodiment provides a cheaper construction than that sho-wn inFIG. l.

In fthe preferred embodiment of the injection ampoule shown in FlGS. 4and 5 wherein parts identical with corresponding parts in FlGS. l and 2are given the same reference numerals, there is arranged on the sealingmember 6 a metallic extension member 35 having an outwardly-projectingpart 36 which has a conical outer surface adapted to receive the socket3 of the hypodermic needle 9. At its inner end the metallic extensionmember 35 is provided with an outwardly-extending llange 37 resting onthe sealing member 6. The metallic extension member 35 keeps the sealingmember 6 in place by means of a cylindrical vertical part 3d of theextensiony member itself, said part having an inwardly extending ilange39 which rests against the lower side of the liange 5 of the neck 3. Bymeans of the flanges 37 and 39, respectively, the metallic extensionmember 35 keeps the sealing member 6 pressed tightly against the uppersurface of the neck 3 to provide sealing of the ampoule.

The outwardly-projecting part 36 of the extension member 35 is providedwith a through-going channel 15 ence-,59e

wherein there is arranged a plastic tube 16 provided with a cuttingfront edge 17. rthe plastic tube, preferably a polyamide tube, extendsbeyond the outwardly-projecting part 35 ot the extension member 35 andis covered by a protective cap 1S having a vertical substantiallycylindrica part 4t) which bears against the substantially cylindricalvertical part 38 of the metallic extension member 35. The embodimentshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 diiers rom that of FIGS. l and 2 only in theconstruction of its upper portion. its lower portion is identical withthat shown in the previously-described embodiment and may include apiston and piston-rod construction as shown in FIG. l or FIG. 3.

During storage of the injection ampoule, the piston rod 35i is usuallydetached from the piston 2i?. In such case, the first thing to do tobring the injection ampoule into operation is to attach the piston rod3d to the piston Zl. Then the protective cap i8 is removed, and thesocket S of the hypodermic needle or cannula 9 is placed on theprojecting portion of the tube 16, the inner end of the needle 9 in thesocket S bearing against the uppermost end of the tube E15. Hereby theposition of the socket is centered so that when the latter is presseddownwardly it engages the outer conical surface of the projecting partor 36, respectively, of the extension member on the injection ampoule incorrect position. By this movement, the tube i6 is moved downwardlythrough the channel l5 and the cutting front edge i7 of the tube 16penetrates through the sealing member 6 so that the tube 16 is broughtinto the position shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, respectively, where theouter end of the tube 16 bears against the inner portion of the socket 8in close vicinity to the inner end or" the needle 9. When the piston 2i)is then pressed forwards by placing a nger on the handling bar 33t, thetherapeutic tluid within the ampoule flows out through the needle 9.

After the injection has been made, the hypodermic needle is removed fromthe projecting part 7 or 36, respectively, and can be used again aftersterilization.

As will be seen from the foregoing, only two extremely simple operationswill be necessary in order to make the injection ampoule ready for use,i.e. removal of the cap i3, and mounting of the hypodermic recordcannula or needle. This mounting is easily and simply performed in thatthe projecting end of the tube 16 guides and centers the socket 8 which,as a consequence, is inevitably advanced to its proper position on theprojecting part 7 or 36, respectively, of the extension member. At thesame time the tube lr6 is automatically carried downwardly within thechannel l while piercing the sealing member 6 at its center, and onlythis piercing of the sealing member 6 is necessary to obtain access tothe interior of the ampoule.

in the preferred embodiment of the injection ampoule shown in FGS. 4 and5 of the drawings, there is used a metallic extension member 35 and aplastic tube i6. in this embodiment, the use of a metallic ring pressingtogether the extension member and the sealing member is avoided.Furthermore, the use of a plastic tube which is adapted to slide in thethrough-going channel in a metallic extension member is of specialadvantage in that any unintentional skew mounting of the tube in thechannel will merely cause the tube to bend a little and it will thenslide in the proper position for penetrating through the sealing memberafter mounting of the hypodermic needle on the projecting upper part ofthe extension member. The novel combination of a plastic cutting tube(le) and a metallic guiding member (35), which also have the function ofsealing the ampoule, is highly advantageous in manufacturing operations,since it simplifies the sealing and guarantees correct mounting of thecutting tube.

Preferably, the metallic extension member 35 is made of aluminum orother relatively soft metal. Hereby a very tight connection between themetallic socket of the cannula or liypodermic needle and the metallicextension member can be ensured in t at the relatively hard socket willsrip tightly in the relatively soft aluminum extension member whenturning the socket around thc projecting upper part of the extensionmember during mounting.

lt is an advantage of the injection ampoule according to the inventionthat it allows the use of ordinary hypodermic record cannulae which areextensively used in common injection syringes and with which the user ofthe injection ampoule is fully familiar. As is known, there existhypodermic record cannulae with different cannula sizes. Thus, the userof the injection ampoule is tree to choose the cannula size mostappropriate in each individual case, e.g. dependent on whether anintramuscular or subcutaneous injection is to be effected, and whetherthe injection is to be made in a child or in an adult.

ln the embodiments shown in the drawings, the injection ampoule isconstructed for use in connection with any other form of known injectioncannulae, such as the socalled tuer-lock cannulae, in which case theouter conical surface of the projecting part 7 or 36, respectively, isgiven a conicity corresponding to the internal conicity of the socket ofthe cannula employed, whereas the tube 16 is given the necessary lengthto insure piercing of the sealing member 6.

rThis application is a continuation-impart of our application Serial No.846,486, tiled October 14, 1959, and now abandoned.

Having thus fully described our invention we claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent:

l. An injection ampoule comprising a container for a uid to be injected,said container having an open rearend, a piston disposed interiorily ofsaid container and reciprocable therein, means comprising a piston rodconnected to said piston for selectively reciprocating said piston toinject said fluid, means cooperative with said rod for sealing said openend, a neck provided at an end of said container opposite to said end,said neck having an outlet opening, a puncturable sealing membercovering said outlet opening and secured to said neck, an extensionmember having a tapered outer configuration shaped to receive a socketof a hypodermic needle, said extension member having alaterally-extending ange seated on said sealing member and having alongitudinally-extending passage coaxial with said neck opening, saidpassage terminating adjacent said sealing member, a slidable tubedisposed in said passage and movably held frictionally therein forpenetrating said sealing member when an axial force is applied to thetube in an axial direction toward the interior of said container, when ah podermic needle is mounted on said extension, and said tube extendingbeyond the outer end of said extension member to receive said hypodermicneedle.

2. An injection ampoule `comprising a container for a iluid to rbeinjected, said container having an open rearend, a piston disposedinterior-ily of said container and reciprocable therein, a piston rodselectively actuatable for selectively reciprocating said piston toinject said fluid, means cooperative with said rod for sealing said openend, a neck provided at an end of said container opposite to said end,neck having an outlet opening, a puncturable sealing member coveringsaid outlet opening and secured to said neck, an extension member havinga tapered outer configuration shaped to receive a socket of a hypodernineedle, said extension member having a laterallyextending il. ge seatedon said sealing member, and having a longitudinally-extending passagecoaxial with said neck opening, said passage terminating adjacent saidsealing member, a sldable centering tube disposed in said passage andmovably held i'rictionally therein for penetrating said scaling memberwhen force is applied to the tube in a direction toward the interior ofsaid container, when a hypodermic needle is mounted on said extension,and said tube extending beyond the'outer end of said extension member toreceive said hypodermie needle and accurately enter it in said extensionm nbcr.

3. An injection ampoule comprising a container for a uid to be injected,said container having an open rearend, a piston disposed interiorily ofsaid container and reciprocable therein, a detachable piston rodseiectively connectable to said piston for selectiveiy reciprocatingsaid piston to iniect said fluid, means cooperative with said rod forsealing said open end, a neck provided at an end oi said containeropposite to said end, said neck having an ontiet opening, a punctnrablesealing member covering said outlet `opening 'and secured to said neck,a metallic extension member having a tapered outer congnration shaped toreceive a socket of a hypodermic needle said extension member having alaterallyextending flange seated on said seaiing member, and having alongitudinaliy-extending passage coaxial with said neck opening, saidpassage terminating adjacent said sealing member, and a siidable plastictube disposed in said passage and movably held frictionally therein forpenetrating said 6 sealing member when a suicient force is applied tothe tube in a direction toward the interior of said container', when ahypodermic needle is mounted on said extension, said tube extendingbeyond the outer end of said extension member to receive said hypodermicneedle yand accurately center it in said extension member.

References @ited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,746,009 Muiford Feb. 4, 1930 2,505,308 Smith Apr. 25, 1950 2,646,798Brown July 28, 1953 2,828,743 Ashkenaz et al. Apr. 1, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 79,010 Denmark Mar. 7, 1955

1. AN INJECTION AMPOUE COMPRISING A CONTAINER FOR A FLUID TO BEINJECTED, SAID CONTAINER HAVING AN OPEN REAREND, A PISTON DISPOSEDINTERIORILY OF SAID CONTAINER AND RECIPROCABLE THEREIN, MEANS COMPRISINGA PISTON ROD CONNECTED TO SAID PISTONFOR SELECTIVELY RECIPROCATING SAIDPISTON TO INJECT SAID FLUID, MEANS COOPRATIVE WITH SAID ROD FOR SEALINGSAID OPEN END, A NECK PROVIDED AT AN END OF SAID CONTAINER OPPOSITE TOSAID END, SAID NECK HAVING AN OUTLET OPENING, A PUNCTURABE SEALINGMEMBER COVERING SAID OUTLET OPENING AND SECURED TO SAID NECK, ANEXTENSION MEMBER HAVING A TAPERED OUTER CONFIGURATION SHAPED TO RECEIVEA SOCKET OF A HYPODERMIC NEEDLE, SAID EXTENSION MEMBER HAVING ALATERALLY-EXTENDING FLANGE SEATED ON SAID SEALING MEMBER AND HAVING ALONGITUDINALLY-EXTENDING PASSAGE COAXIAL WITH SAID NECK OPENING, SAIDPASSAGE TERMINATING ADJACENT SAID SEALING MEMBER, A SLIDABLE TUBEDISPOSED IN SAID PASSAGE AND MOVABLY HELD FRICTIONALLY THEREIN FORPENETRATING SAID SEALING MEMBER WHEN AN AXIAL FORCE IS APPLIED TO THETUBE IN AN AXIAL DIECTION TOWARD THE INTERIOR OF SAID CONTAINER, WHEN AHYPODERMIC NEEDLE IS MOUNTED ON SAID EXTENSION, AND SAID TUBE EXTENDINGBEYOND THE OUTER END OF SAID EXTENSION MEMBER TO RECEIVE SAID HYPODERMICNEEDLE.